Term Time Jobs Near Me in Ireland: Guide to Dublin & Galway

If you’re juggling school runs or lecture timetables, finding a job that fits around your academic calendar can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. Term time jobs exist precisely for this reason — offering work schedules that align with school terms, meaning you can focus on your studies or family during holidays.

Term time jobs in Northern Ireland (Indeed): 1,161 ·
Minimum wage (Ireland 2026): €14.15/hour ·
Student work limit (term): 20 hrs/week

Five facts, one pattern: term time work in Ireland is heavily regulated by visa status and benefits rules, yet platforms show strong demand.

The implication: Ireland presents a patchwork of term time opportunities — abundant listings on major boards, but eligibility depends heavily on your residency status and benefit situation.

What Are Term Time Jobs?

Definition of term time work

• Term time jobs are roles whose working hours align with school or university term dates, reducing or pausing work during scheduled holidays.
• They differ from conventional part‑time jobs because the schedule explicitly follows an academic calendar, not just a set weekly hour cap.

A Indeed (UK job board) search for “term time” returns over 1,100 positions in Northern Ireland alone, confirming the model is widespread in both education‑adjacent and mainstream sectors.

The catch: these jobs trade year-round stability for calendar-based flexibility, which can be ideal for parents or students.

Common sectors for term time jobs

• Childcare and early years – crèches, after‑school clubs, Montessori schools
• School support – Special Needs Assistants (SNAs), midday assistants, classroom aides
• Retail – many clothing and grocery chains offer term‑time contracts for parents
• Hospitality – cafés, restaurants and catering roles with school‑hour shifts
• Tutoring and educational services – private tuition, exam prep centres

According to Global Work & Travel (working holiday guide), hospitality and tourism dominate the market for temporary workers, but term time contracts are increasingly common in retail chains.

Term time vs. school term dates

In Ireland, school terms run roughly September–December and January–March/April, with breaks at Christmas, Easter and summer. Term time jobs typically mirror these periods, meaning you may be off work for up to 13 weeks a year. EEC (education consultancy) notes that Stamp 2 visa holders can work up to 40 hours a week during official holiday periods.

The trade‑off: you get flexibility around family or studies, but need to budget carefully during unpaid holiday blocks.

How to Find Term Time Jobs Near Me

Using job boards like Indeed, IrishJobs, and Jobs.ie

• Indeed (UK job board) – 1,161 term time roles in Northern Ireland; apply filter “school term time”
• JobsIreland.ie (Irish employment service) – features the Part‑Time Education Option for benefit claimants
• Global Work & Travel (working holiday guide) – suggests hospitality and tourism as top term‑time sectors

An Indeed posting for a replenishment assistant in Newry offers £13.68 per hour (including holiday pay) for night shifts, showing that term time work can be well‑paid even in non‑specialist roles (Indeed (UK job board)).

Setting up job alerts with term time filter

• On Indeed: save search “term time” + your location, toggle email alerts.
• On JobsIreland: use the “Part‑Time” filter and check “Education/Training” category.
• Many boards allow you to exclude full‑time or permanent roles.

For maximum coverage, set alerts on at least three platforms — job volumes spike ahead of each school term.

Checking local employer websites and community boards

• Local schools often post SNA and midday assistant vacancies on their own careers pages.
• Community centres, parish newsletters and Facebook groups (e.g., “Dublin Parents Jobs”) regularly list term time roles.
• Direct approach: email schools and childcare centres with a CV stating your term‑time availability.

Why this matters: term time jobs don’t always appear on national aggregators — many small employers rely on local networks.

What Types of Term Time Jobs Are Available in Ireland?

Childcare and early years roles

Crèche assistants, after‑school club leaders and Montessori helpers are among the most common term time positions. Vagabond Tours (tour operator) also lists seasonal guide roles (5–12 day tours) which follow a term‑like rhythm, though these are more common in tourism.

School support staff (SNA, midday assistant)

• Special Needs Assistants work directly with students, typically during school hours only.
• Midday assistants supervise lunch and play periods.
• These roles require references but often no formal qualifications beyond garda vetting.

Retail and hospitality positions with term‑time contracts

Many Irish retailers (SuperValu, Tesco, Penneys) offer term‑time contracts that explicitly match employee availability to school hours. Global Work & Travel (working holiday guide) states that cafés and restaurants “constantly hire baristas, servers, and kitchen assistants” across cities.

Tutoring and educational services

Private tutors and grinds teachers set their own hours, making this a natural term‑friendly option. Subjects like Maths, English, and Irish are in highest demand. Rates vary, but the EEC (education consultancy) reports the national minimum wage is €14.15/hr from 2026, providing a floor for all employment.

Where to Look for Term Time Jobs in Dublin and Galway

Dublin job market: top platforms and employers

Dublin accounts for the largest share of Irish job listings. Indeed (UK job board) lists 1,161 term time jobs in adjacent Northern Ireland, suggesting Dublin’s market is likely larger. Look on IrishJobs, Jobs.ie, and directly on the careers pages of large retailers and childcare chains.

Galway job market: schools and childcare centres

Galway’s smaller market still has opportunities, especially in early years settings and university‑adjacent roles. JobsIreland.ie (Irish employment service)’s FETCH courses are available nationwide, including in Galway, providing part‑time study‑work hybrids.

Regional differences in term time work availability

Outside the major cities, term time jobs are scarcer. Vagabond Tours (tour operator) offers tour guide roles that operate seasonally (May–Sept), which can suit term time availability but require travel across Ireland. The pattern: rural areas have fewer fixed‑hour term‑time postings, so widening your search radius helps.

The trade‑off: a commutable distance to Dublin or Galway may open many more options than staying strictly local.

Tips for Applying to Term Time Jobs

Tailoring your CV for term time availability

• State your availability clearly: “Available during school terms, September–June, with flexible hours during school hours.”
• Highlight previous term‑time or school‑hour experience, even from volunteering.
• List any relevant credentials (Garda vetting, First Aid, childcare qualifications).

Highlighting flexibility during school hours

Most employers hiring for term time want reliability between 9am and 3pm. If you can start earlier or stay later occasionally, mention it. Global Work & Travel (working holiday guide) notes that hospitality shift flexibility can increase your chances.

Preparing for common interview questions

• “Why do you want term time work?” – Be honest; employers respect work‑life balance goals.
• “Are you available during school holidays?” – Some roles require partial holiday cover; clarify upfront.
• “Do you have the right to work in Ireland/UK?” – Have your visa and ID ready.

Checking contract terms for holiday pay and leave

Term time contracts can be part‑time or zero‑hour. EEC (education consultancy) reminds that all workers in Ireland are entitled to pro‑rata holiday pay. Confirm whether you’ll be paid during school breaks or if the role is “term‑time only” with unpaid holidays. Also check if the employer offers pro‑rata sick leave, as JobsIreland.ie (Irish employment service) advises benefit claimants to maintain records of their work pattern.

Quotes from the field

“The Part‑Time Education Option allows people to keep their Jobseeker’s Allowance or Benefit while taking a part‑time day, evening or distance education course.”

— JobsIreland.ie (Irish employment service)

“Indeed has over 1,100 term‑time job listings in Northern Ireland alone, spanning roles from retail to childcare.”

— Indeed (UK job board)

“Hospitality and tourism dominate the job market for Working Holiday Visa holders in Ireland.”

— Global Work & Travel (working holiday guide)

Related reading

• H&M Jobs: How to Apply Online for Irish Job Seekers
• NI Civil Service Jobs: Salaries, Vacancies & Departments

For parents and students in Ireland, the road to term time work is clear once you know which platforms to check and what rules apply. The numbers from Indeed and JobsIreland prove that the market exists — the challenge is matching your schedule to the right employer and understanding the fine print of visas and benefits.

For those seeking roles that align with school schedules, our guide to term time jobs near me provides detailed insights for Dublin and Galway.

Frequently asked questions